(a)In addition to taking the finger impressions of unidentified corpses, as laid down in regulation 493, such corpses shall, whenever possible, be photographed with a view to tracing their identity. Such photographs shall, whenever possible, be of half-plate size.(b)If a competent photographer cannot be arranged for locally, a photographer will be deputed from the Criminal Investigation Department on receipt of a requisition by wire. To save time, such requisitions may be sent from police-station officers direct, but a wise discretion shall be exercised and they shall be sent only when the corpse is identifiable and there is reason to believe that the photographer will arrive before the corpse is unrecognizable owing to.decomposition.(c)When it is necessary to photograph an unidentified corpse, the whole body should be included in the photo, the corpse being placed in such position that all scars and similar marks of identification are clearly visible. This is especially important in cases where the features are in any way disfigured. Distinguishing marks on the body are much surer means of identification than articles of clothing, and, as they disappear with the corpse, a full and accurate record of them is necessary.(d)Whenever an unidentified corpse is photographed, particulars of the subject, as far as they are known, shall be clearly written on the back of the photo. [See regulations 638 and 6391.V. - Arrests, Custody and Escort.
